Receptacle lifter



June 17, 1930. A. HIGH RECEPTACLE LIFTER Filed Aug. 29, 1 5

Patented June 17, 1930 OFFICE ANTONY HIGH, 0]? PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOB TO ABBOTTS AL- DERNEY DAIRIIES, INCL, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA REGEPTACLE LIFTER Application filed. August 29, 1925. Serial No. 53,228.

My invention is designed to provide means for conveniently grasping and lifting a re ceptacle, particularly when housed within a container with slight clearance between the 6 respective walls of the nested casings. My improved lifter is especially adapted for manipulating ice cream cans having external peripheral ribs or abutments, which, when positioned in the wells of a modern mechanically refrigerated cabinet, fit too closely therein to permit convenient insertion and operation of usual tongs having jaws rocking toward and from the receptacle wall.

In its preferred form, my improved lifter comprises a plurality of members each hav ing a web with spaced legs bent transversely thereto and provided with terminal toes or graspers, the webs being pivotally connected by a bolt or pin normal to the plane of the toes. To engage a housed can, the webs are turned on the pivot until the respective pairs of legs are adjacent to one another; the toes are then engaged under the can rib, by tilting the can if necessary; and the webs are turned so that the toes are on opposite sides of the can, which can be conveniently lifted by using the webs as a handle.

The characteristic features and advantages of my improvements will further appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings in illustration of a preferred embodiment of my invention and the application thereof.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a part sectional elevation of a cabinet containing cans to one of which my improved lifter is applied in position for raising it; Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of my improved lifter in folded position; and Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of my improved lifter in expanded position.

As illustrated in the drawings, the device comprises a plurality of similar sheet metal members having tapering webs 1 with their narrow ends pivoted together by a bolt or pin 2. The wider outer end of each member is bent to form transverse legs 3 spaced by slots 4 and each terminating in a. toe 5 bent transversely to the arms 3 and lying in a plane to which the pivot isperpendicular.

When used for raising a can 6, having a rib 7 from the well of the mechanically refrigerated cabinet 8, my improved lifter is folded to substantially the position shown in Fig. 2 and the toes 5 are inserted between the can and well wall and beneath the rib 7. The webs 1 are then straightened to the position shown in Fig. 3, when the diametrically disposed toes 5 abut against the bead 7 so that the can can be lifted from the well, which may be closed by a detachable cover 9.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A lifter comprising members rotatable relatively to one another about an axis located at substantially the center of the expanded lifter, said members being provided with terminal graspers for lifting an object in substantially the directionof said axis when said members are diametrically disposed.

2. A lifter comprising a plurality of similar members each comprising a web with spaced legs extending transversely thereto and provided with graspers, said members being pivotally connected at a point at substantially the center of a circle described by the rotation of said members relatively to one another about an axis substantially normal to a plane common to said grippers when said lifter is expanded.

3. A lifter comprising a pair of members forming a balanced handle when diametrically disposed and rotatable relatively to one another about the same axis, said members having legs extending substantially parallel to said axis and having thereon toes inturned toward said axis.

A lifter comprising a pair of sheet metal members having tapering webs with their narrow ends pivotally connected and their wider outer ends bent to form transverse legs spaced by slots and each terminating in a toe bent transversely to the leg and lying in a plane to which the axis of rotation of said members is substantially perpendicular.

5. The combination with a ribbed can and a casing surrounding the same with a narrow space between the rib of the can and the inner wall of the casing, of a lifter comprising pivoted members movable about an axis concentric With the "axis of the can, legs extending from said'members between said. can and casing, and toes on said legs for engaging said pib.

In testlmony whereof I have hereunto set my name this 12th day of August, 1925.

ANTONY HIGH 

